Sunday, October 06, 2013

REMEMBERING "FIGLIO DI SANTA CROCE" (SON OF SANTA CRUZ) ALLAN VOIGHT

IVANO SAYS: I first met Allan in the early 1960s when he joined the San Jose Police Department. Later Allan transferred (from the SJPD) to the California Highway Patrol, prompting Captain Elmer Klein, who was the head of the Patrol Division, to state "Al is going to be doing the same job for far less pay". (At the time the CHP was being paid less than the San Jose Police". ) Al subsequently made Sergeant and was assigned to his beloved Santa Cruz were he served until his retirement. Addio Al. Until we meet again across "Il Ultimo Ponte" (The Last Bridge). The below Remembrance of Al first appeared in the Santa Cruz Sentinel: www.santacruzsentinel.comSgt. Allan F. VoightFebruary 17, 1937 - September 27, 2013Resident of Santa CruzAnd my soul shall be joyful in the Lord, Psalm 35:9Services will be held in Santa Cruz for Allan
Voight who passed away at his Santa Cruz home at the age of 76. Born in
Stockton, California, he has been a resident of Santa Cruz County for the past
38 years. He joined the Stockton PD in 1958 and was drafted into Army in 1960
serving until 1962 as a MilitaryPolice Officerin Heidelberg, Germany and discharged with a good
conduct medal. He then rejoined the Stockton P.D until he became a member of
the California Highway Patrol in 1965. Al Voight was proud of his service with
the California Highway Patrol, graduating from the academy in 1965. His career
spanned over 26 years with the department, 18 years as a distinguished and
respected sergeant, retiring as S-1 from the Santa Cruz Office, badge number
3698.Affectionately known as "Sergeant
Chuckles" to his constituents, his jovial manner and clever office pranks
played on his Staff will forever be remembered. Al's humorous side could only
be matched by his thoughtfulness and his genuine concern for people.His family and friends will cherish the many times
they received an envelope in the mail printed simply with the name of the
person, places to visit, and enclosed would be items of interest, tickets to
events, two for one coupons, or just the fact that he was thinking of things
that were of importance to them.An avid collector of coins, stamps, and baseball
memorabilia, to mention a few, he enjoyed going to baseball games (He was a BIG
Giant's fan.) with his wife, friends, children and grandchildren. He toured a
lot of the old major league baseball parks throughout the country with his
buddy, Jerry Calkins and they also enjoyed going to local music concerts. Al
loved Blues, Celtic, Country Western and Christian music and Christian concerts
and was a frequent visitor of Twin Lakes Church.Al enjoyed traveling in their R.V. with his
beloved wife Lorraine (Lefty) of 35 years, visiting all but four states. As
members of the local "River Rigz" for 25 years they enjoyed the
monthly outings with their many close R.V. friends and some of them would also
join them on their RV trips too, as well as the many vacation trips with
Lorraine's sister Sara and brother-in-law Ray Ward of Santa Cruz, CA.Two of his favorite past times; walking along the
Seacliff Beach and feeding the birds in his back yard. He enjoyed meeting his
fellow retired CHP buddies once a month at a local restaurant for breakfast.
Ward Schuyler, who attended the CHP Academy with Al, and later they celebrated
their retirement together was a life-long friend and regular visitor throughout
his illness. Al touched many lives during his career including his CHP partner
and Best Man at his wedding, Loren Marburg and wife Karen, whose caring
friendship was a strength during Al's illness.He is survived by his wife, Lorraine Voight of
Santa Cruz, his daughter, Tammy Wagner of Placerville, his sons and
daughters-in-law, Vance and Maria"Malena" Wagner of Soquel, Stu and
DaLauna Wagner of Fall River Mills, and Matt and Alisa Wagner of Carson City,
NV. He also leaves his sister, Jo Alders of Escalon, his brother-in-law Vern
Willey of Long Beach and several nieces and nephews. "Grandpa Duck"
also is survived by his eight loving grandchildren Jordan, Brittany, Cody,
Erik, Stephanie, Brian, Hennessy, and Raif; and three great grandsons; Joseph,
Lincoln, and Waylon.Friends and family will gather on Monday October
21, 2013 at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel for a memorial service ,
beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will be private at Holy Cross Cemetery in Santa
Cruz. .

1 comment:

Clearing up some confusion: the Remembrance mentions that Al started his Police Career with the Stockton PD. Then it goes on to state that he joined the CHP without mentioning is service with the San Jose Police. The latter statement is incorrect. If my Vintage Police memory has not failed me completely, Al transferred to the CHP from the San Jose Police Department not Stockton PD.

About Me

Born the youngest son of Immigrant parents from the Friuli Region in Northeastern Italy, I was raised on a "rancio" on the North Coast of Santa Cruz. In 1959 I graduated from San Jose State College and joined the City Police Force. I retired in 1989 with the rank of Captain. In 2001, my article, "Wrong Side of the Highway," was published in the book, "Una Storia Segreta: The Secret History of Italian American Evacuation and Internment during World War II" (Heyday Books). "La Nostra Costa" (Our Coast),which covers my family's journey to and from the north coast, roughly covers the period between 1923 to 1983. It is my first book.
LA NOSTRA COSTA (OUR COAST)
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www.authorhouse.com, 1-888-280-7715. For further information visit the La Nostra Costa Website:
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